Fluid aerator

Abstract

A fluid aerator connectable to the neck of a container holding a fluid, the fluid aerator having a tubular body having one end adapted to sealingly connect to the neck of the container, a plurality of mixing elements disposed within the tubular body, and wherein when the fluid aerator is attached to the neck of the container and fluid is dispensed from the container, ambient air is drawn into the tubular body and mixes with fluid as it passes over the plurality of mixing elements to aerate the fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluid aerator connectable to a neck of a container holding a fluid, the fluid 
       aerator comprising:
 a tubular body having one end adapted to sealingly connect to the neck of the container; 
 a plurality of mixing elements disposed within the tubular body; and 
 wherein when the fluid aerator is attached to the neck of the container and fluid is dispensed from the container, ambient air is drawn into the tubular body and mixes with fluid as it passes over the plurality of mixing elements to aerate the fluid. 
 
     
     
       2. The fluid aerator of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of mixing elements extends radially around at least a portion of a shaft, wherein the shaft is connectable to the tubular body. 
     
     
       3. The fluid aerator of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of mixing elements are spaced apart from one another and adjacent mixing elements extend from the shaft in opposing directions. 
     
     
       4. The fluid aerator of  claim 3 , wherein the shaft is tubular and provides a path for communication of air into the container. 
     
     
       5. The fluid aerator of  claim 4 , wherein the shaft includes a strut intersecting a terminal end of the shaft, the strut having ends adapted to cooperate with grooves fabricated onto the tubular body for releaseably connecting the shaft to the tubular body. 
     
     
       6. The fluid aerator of  claim 4 , further comprising a tubular extension releaseably connectable to the shaft, the tubular extension having a terminal end that is disposed proximate a bottom of the container when the tubular extension is attached to the shaft. 
     
     
       7. The fluid aerator of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the mixing elements extends around the shaft in a helical configuration. 
     
     
       8. The fluid aerator of  claim 4 , wherein two or more of the mixing elements extend around the shaft in a helical configuration, and wherein adjacent helical mixing elements are offset from one another. 
     
     
       9. The fluid aerator of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body is sized to overlap at least a portion of the neck of the container. 
     
     
       10. The fluid aerator of  claim 9 , further comprising a securement member for sealingly connecting a tubular rubber sleeve to the neck of the container. 
     
     
       11. The fluid aerator of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body includes a pour spout. 
     
     
       12. A fluid aerator adapted to attach to a neck of a container, the fluid aerator comprising:
 a connector assembly, the connector assembly comprising: 
 a container interface portion for sealingly connecting the connector assembly to the neck of the container; 
 a tubular body extending from the connector assembly; 
 an insert adapted to be releaseably received within the tubular body, the insert comprising: 
 a shaft releaseably connectable to the tubular body; 
 a plurality of mixing elements extending from the shaft; 
 wherein when the fluid aerator is attached to the neck of the container and fluid is dispensed from the container, ambient air is drawn into the tubular body and mixes with fluid as it passes over the plurality of mixing elements to aerate the fluid. 
 
     
     
       13. The fluid aerator of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of mixing elements are spaced apart from one another and adjacent mixing elements extend from the shaft in opposing directions. 
     
     
       14. The fluid aerator of  claim 13 , wherein the shaft is tubular and provides a path for the communication of fluids into the container. 
     
     
       15. The fluid aerator of  claim 12 , wherein the shaft includes a strut intersecting a terminal end of the shaft, the strut having ends adapted to cooperate with grooves fabricated onto the tubular body for releaseably connecting the shaft to the tubular body. 
     
     
       16. The fluid aerator of  claim 14 , further comprising a tubular extension releaseably connectable to the shaft providing a path for communication of fluids into the container. 
     
     
       17. The fluid aerator of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the mixing elements extends around the shaft in a helical configuration. 
     
     
       18. The fluid aerator of  claim 12 , wherein two or more of the mixing elements extend around the shaft in a helical configuration, and wherein adjacent helical mixing elements are rotationally offset from one another. 
     
     
       19. The fluid aerator of  claim 12 , wherein the tubular body includes a tubular rubber sleeve sized to overlap at least a portion of the neck of the container. 
     
     
       20. The fluid aerator of  claim 19 , further comprising a securement member for sealingly connecting the tubular rubber sleeve to the neck of the container.